Track season continues with Razorback Invite

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE – Coming off a solid first weekend, the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track team is ready to step onto the Randal Tyson Track Center surface again for the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Friday and Saturday, January 19-20.

In their first taste of indoor track last weekend, the Lady Razorbacks posted three NCAA qualifiers including two in the pole vault.Senior Jodi Unger cleared a near career-best 13-5 ¼, while junior Stephanie Irwin sailed over 13-1 ½.Arkansas’ 4×400-meter relay battled illness and still posted a qualifying mark, slipping under the provisional time at 3:39.28.

“We had a very good opener and I hope that we can continue that momentum this weekend,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said.“If we can come out of the weekend with a few more qualifiers than I will be very pleased.The indoor season isn’t very long so our team needs to get as many qualifying marks out of the way quickly so that we can rest and be prepared for the NCAA Championships.”

The two-day Razorback Invitational should give the Lady Razorbacks ample time to compete and recover for each session.Finals begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Noon, Saturday.Scheduled to compete for the Lady Razorbacks on Friday night are select members of its 5,000-meter squad as well as the distance medley relay.Saturday looks to be heavy on the sprints with the 400 meters, 60-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay.

Arkansas is one of 21 teams competing at the Razorback, including local notables Tulsa and Oklahoma as well as those from abroad like Cal State-Northridge.Most of Arkansas’ athletes will compete in their primary events for the first time this season making the Razorback Invite a crucial competition to the overall season.

For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.